Tapping plug for metallurgical furnaces



Dec. 6, 1927. 1,651,445 D. cusHlNG TAPPING PLUGFOR METALLURGICAL FURNACES me@ Junez; 1927 1%, aar-n.7.:

Patented Dec. A6, l192,7. Y

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DANIEL CUSHING, OF CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHSETTS.

TAPPING PLUG ron HETALLURGICAT. rumucns.

Application illed J'une 25,

This invention relates to a tapping plug for a metallurgical furnace and has particular application :to furnaces for melting nonferrous metals. It is customary to close the 6 tapping outlet in a-furnace for melting ferrous metals with a plug of moist fire clay or other-sinTiia-r."material,A forced into the tapping outlet, but this manner of closing a furnace is found unsatisfactory when used in connection with non-ferrous metals such as brass or co per.A These non-ferrous -metals chill quicly and the contact with' the moist clay frequently'results in forming a plug of solid metal'in the inner end of l5 the tipping outlet, which metal can be re- 25 out in the appended claims.

A preferred form of the invention vis shown in the drawings in which Fig.Y 1 is a sectional elevation of certain partsv of a metallurgical furnace to which i .30 minvention may be applied;

ig. 2 is a side view of pin plug; and

' 1 3 1s a sectional side elevation thereof.

Reerring to Fig. 1, I have shown Apormy Aimproved taptions of a furnace particularly adapted for n melting non-ferrousy metals, the furnace com risin a shell or casing 10 having a irerick lining 11, a bottom v:frame 12 supporting a tapping spout .13, and a bottom member 14 supporting a fire-brick lining 15,

preferably having a layer 16 of non-conucting kmaterial thereunder. a

A rectangular block 17 yof {ire-brick or other suitable -material is built into the side wall of the furnace and is provided with a tapping outlet 18 having-a bell-shaped or en arged outer-portion 19. The outlet 18 is substantially on theleveljwith the top of l ,the bottom lining 15. The parts thus far -tible material ma 5o described form no part ofmy resent invention, which relates particular y to the construction of the tapping 'plug 20 which I have shown as inserted in the bell-shaped mouth 19 of the block 17 to close the outsa let 18.

` The plug. 17 is molded from moist clay or ybonize the material. -22 comes in direct contact with the metal,

the effect'is substantially the-same.

outlet passage or ta pin 1927. Serial No. 201,446.

other similar and suitable plastic but noncombustible material. The plu of a shape adapted to be secure to the end of a staff by which it may be inserted in the outlet 18 in the usual and well known manner, when it is desired to stop the flow of the molten metal M.

The particular novell feature of my improved tapping plug consists in the insertion of a portion 22 of cotton waste or other easily carbonized material in the reduced end portion 24 of the plu 20. The material 22 is preferably entire y enclosed withl in the walls o f the plug 20, and is commonly protected at the endof the plug b a relatively thin layer 25 of clay or lot er noncombustible but plastic material.

` When the plug is inserted in the block 17, the material 22 1s forced into the outer end of the outlet passage 18,. and the body of the plug is forced into the bell-shaped mouth f 19, sealing the opening and preventing acis molded cess of air to the material 22. This material 22 is, however,'only thinly protected from the molten metal M, which imparts sufficient heat to the material 22 to thoroughlycar- Even if the material The material 22 remains in placev after carbonization preventing contact ofthe metal M withthe moist clay forming the body of the plug 20, and the chillin of the metal is thus eiectually' prevente v i `When it is desired to tap the furnace, the clay in the bell-shaped mouth 19 is broken out in the usual manner and as soon as air reaches the carboni/Zed material 22, said ma- Yterial is immediately. consumed, leaving the outlet passage 18 practically free and clear for the How of metal.

I thus efectually seal the outlet passage when desired, while at the.l same time I prevent the possibility of chilling the metal and forming a solid plugholf metal in. the

While I have indicate av combination of clay and cotton waste, it will be understood that any suitable plastic but non-combusbe substituted for the clay'and that exce sior or fine straw or hay or an other easily carbonized material may be su stituted for the cotton waste..

Having thus described my invention and the advanta es thereof, I do not wish to be limited to t e details herein shown and delim scribed othorwco than ao set forth in tho claims, but "what claim ist 1. A topping plug for o mctalurgco furnace comprising on outor portion of Iastc and non-combustblo material, on on inner portion of carbonzoho motorini.

2. A toppnog plug; for a metallurgical foo nace comprising o body of nou-combusthc plastic material having; oY md'iuccd ond politon, and o poxton of cmooncobo moi-,octal inserted in sod rcctoccd onf-t portion.,

3. It. topping pugg tov o metallurgical :tomooo computing o body of 1m1'i-co1'obos tioo ptootc motorot Moving rottocod ood portion, and o, portion of carbonizable ma- 15 touiot inserto@ m said reduced end portion and ontrel ouclosed by said non-combustible mammal.

L t tappog ping for a metallurgical urnooo com rsmg a body of clay havmg a redwood on portion., an a portion of cotton lilo tcotmony Whoreof I have hereunto 25 ottimo my" signatur@ 

